The Queen's English: Applying The Standards

The statement "The problems lie in the final 3 percent, a small but troublesome group of words that don’t behave in any predictable fashion and simply have to be committed to memory" supports the author's claim that English is often accused of being an impossibly complicated language. It suggests that there is a small group of words in English that are difficult to learn because they do not follow any predictable patterns and need to be memorized. This supports the idea that English is seen as difficult for nonnative speakers to learn.

The author proves her claim that English users resist simplifying English spelling by using examples of spelling changes that people did not receive well. This suggests that when attempts have been made to simplify English spelling, users have resisted and not accepted these changes. By highlighting instances where people have reacted negatively to spelling changes, the author supports the claim that English users are resistant to simplifying English spelling.

The answer provides an objective summary of the selection by stating that the English language has a long history of incorporating words from various languages and continues to adapt to the changing needs of the world. This summary accurately captures the main points mentioned in the selection without any subjective opinions or biases.

In the first paragraph, the author unfolds her ideas by describing the environment in which the English language was created. This means that the author provides details and information about the conditions and circumstances that influenced the development of the English language. This approach helps to set the context and foundation for further discussion and exploration of the topic.

The author uses the term "linguistic" to mean "pertaining to language" in the sentence. The author suggests that the reason why certain odd spellings are still used in English is because they reflect the language's extensive linguistic ancestry. This implies that the spellings are influenced by the historical development and evolution of the English language, making them an important part of its linguistic heritage.

Paragraph 5 refines the author's idea by providing a fact and then giving an example. This suggests that the author is using evidence to support their argument and strengthen their point. By presenting a fact, the author establishes credibility and adds weight to their argument. The example further solidifies the author's point by providing a specific instance that supports their claim. Overall, this approach enhances the author's idea by providing both factual information and a concrete example to support it.

English is one of the world's most well-documented languages because there have been many publications of dictionaries. Dictionaries serve as comprehensive references for the language, documenting its vocabulary, grammar, and usage. These publications provide a wealth of information and contribute to the extensive documentation of the English language.

Webster was unable to convince people to accept his spellings of certain words because he was not a good salesman of his ideas. This suggests that Webster lacked the persuasive skills necessary to effectively communicate and convince others of the validity and benefits of his proposed spellings. Despite potentially having accurate spellings, his inability to effectively convey the value of his ideas hindered his success in convincing others to adopt his spellings.

The phrase "a troublesome group of words that don't behave" means that the words do not follow any established rules. This implies that they are difficult to understand or interpret because they do not conform to the expected patterns or structures.